ELEPHANT PLAYS SYMPATHY TRICK TO EARN HIS KEEP

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 15 May 1912, Page 7

ELEPHANT PLAYS SYMPATHY TRICK TO EARN HIS KEEP

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Congo, a young African elephant purchased for the New York Zoological Park, proved upon his arrival >t© have his hind legs so badiy "sprung" that he walked upon his ankles, dragging his feet. The park surgeon, fitted him with a pair ol ankle braces made of leather. Within six months his legs had straightened out, and grown strong enough to do without the braces.

During his convalescence the cripple had received so much attention that he developed a very amusing trick. The public is not allowed to feed the animals, but Congo's appealing trunk thrust through the bars of his stall in the elephant house was not to be resisted. People gave him pennies, nickels, and even

dimes

After a time a cash register was rigged up for the little elephant: a box into which he put the money, and then vigorously rang the bell attached to it. The money was afterwards taken out and spent for peanuts during the week, in addition to the six quarts which each elephant receives each Sunday morning. Congo quickly learned to connect the takhig of the money from the box with the extra treat, and so strictly does he attend to the business of keeping the box full, that its contents now pay for all its food.